Gerry Adams accuses British government of undermining Good Friday Agreement

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams TD has called on the British government to honor its commitments and for the Irish government to urgently re-engage in the peace process following a succession of decisions by the British government which are seriously undermining the Good Friday Agreement and political institutions.

The Dáil (Irish government) will this evening debate a motion which calls on the Irish government to ensure that the British Government implements the outstanding issues from the Good Friday Agreement and subsequent agreements at St Andrews and Hillsborough.

Sinn Féin is tabling the motion as a measure of concern at the current state of the peace process and Good Friday Agreement.

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams said “It is now 15 years on from the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. And while it has brought peace and stability there are still outstanding issues which remain to be implemented such as Acht na Gaeilge, the Bill of Rights for the north and an all-Ireland Charter of Rights.

“The British government has also incarcerated Marian Price and Martin Corey without trial. They should be released.

“Since coming to power the current Conservative/Liberal Democrat government has not engaged as it should in the peace process and decisions it has taken have and are seriously undermining the work of the Executive and of the Good Friday Agreement.

“The British government has reneged on the substantial Peace Dividend of £18 billion; has cut the Block Grant by £4 billion; refused to devolve powers on Corporation Tax, and is now proposing to implement significant welfare cuts that will cut a further £1 billion.

“It fails to appreciate the investment that is required for a society that is moving out of conflict.

“By its actions the British government is also targeting the most disadvantaged.

“Its decision to impose welfare cuts will remove millions of pounds from the economy as well as hurting the most vulnerable citizens.

“Sinn Féin has warned the British Prime Minister of this.

“The British government is seriously undermining the work of the Executive and of the political institutions.

“The Executive cannot sustain this level of attack by the British government.

“The British government needs to honor its commitments.

“It needs to recognize the unique situation the Executive is in and the fact that Sinn Féin will not acquiesce to this British agenda.

“The British government needs to re-engage meaningfully with the political parties in the coming days.

“The Irish government has to urgently challenge the British government’s breaches in its commitments.”